DeKoter Lab
The goal of our research is to identify genetic causes of diseases affecting the immune system, including primary immunodeficiency and leukemia. These diseases can be caused by mutation of genes encoding transcription factors. We are particularly interested in highly related transcription factors of the E26 transformation-specific (ETS) family called PU.1, Spi-B, and Spi-C. These proteins play diverse roles in regulating development and function of B lymphocytes and myeloid cells. We use a variety of methods to perform these studies including genetically modified mouse models, primary cell culture, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and gene expression analysis. Please follow the links to learn more about our current research activities.
Our research team currently includes two graduate students, one research technician, and five undergraduate students. Our laboratory regularly accepts undergraduates as summer students, honors thesis students, or scholars elective students. We are funded by operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
Picture taken December 2025: Maathumai Jegatheeswaran, Chanpreet Riarh, Addison Tran, Rodney DeKoter, Maria Uribe Estrada, Angelica Bao, Rachel MacKinnon, Sherry Xu.
Welcome to our 2025-2026 undergraduate students Rachel, Maathumai, Ekroop, Sarah, and Angelica.
Rysan et al, H195Y mutation of IKZF3 identified in a mouse model of precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia impairs transcriptional repression activity and increases protein stability. Funded by NSERC 03518 and CIHR 168995 Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2026
MacKenzie et al, Negative regulation of activation-induced cytidine deaminase gene transcription in developing B cells by a PU.1-interacting intronic region. Funded by NSERC 03518 and CIHR 168995 BiorXiv, 2024
Rodrigues de Oliveira et al, IKZF3/Aiolos H195Y mutation identified in a mouse model of B cell leukemia results in altered DNA binding and altered STAT5-dependent gene expression. Funded by NSERC 04749 and CIHR 168995 Gene, 2024
Sams et al, N-acetylcysteine alters disease progression and increases Janus Kinase mutation frequency in a mouse model of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Funded by CIHR 142258 and 168995 Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2024
Kim et al, EZH2 inhibition stimulates repetitive element expression and viral mimicry in resting splenic B cells. F The EMBO Journal, 2024
Xu et al, Spi-C and PU.1 counterregulate Rag1 and Ig kappa transcription to effect Vkappa-Jkappa recombination in small pre-B cells. Funded by NSERC 2022-03518 The Journal of Immunology, 2023
We work on proteins called transcription factors and their role in gene regulation during B cell and macrophage development. Transcription factors such as PU.1, Spi-B, and Spi-C play roles in immune development and in diseases such as immune deficiency. Click here to learn more!
